Angels, Mariners Beginning Massive Three-Game Series Amid Tight AL West Race

The Los Angeles Angels are starting to roll following a huge series win over the Athletics, winning six of their last 10 and four of seven against the A’s.

The Angels captured all the runs it needed when center fielder Josh Lowe, who is playing in place of Mike Trout, clobbered his first career grand slam in the second inning to give the Angels a lead it wouldn’t relinquish in a 4-1 series-clinching victory.

The A’s scored its lone run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly. Angels lefty Sam Aldegheri had a nice start, pitching five sharp innings and allowing the one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four, while the bullpen allowed three baserunners over the final four innings.

With the Angels being 13 games under .500 at 36-49, many would think there’s no way the team is competing for a playoff spot, but those people haven’t seen the state of the American League and AL West.

Los Angeles is just 6.5 games back from the first-place Texas Rangers (42-42) and six games out of the final wild card spot entering play Monday. The Angels will duel another division foe, the Seattle Mariners, in a three-game road series with the chance to make up more ground.

Rookie right-hander Ryan Johnson will get the nod against Mariners righty George Kirby in the opener, and Kirby has been sharp over his last three outings.

Johnson has been hit hard this season in limited appearances, but he had his best outing as a big-leaguer during his last start. The 23-year-old is 1-2 with a 8.84 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 15 strikeouts to nine walks through six games (three starts, 19.1 innings).

Johnson was outstanding against the Baltimore Orioles on June 23, tossing six one-hit scoreless innings and allowing just two baserunners while fanning eight to earn his second career win.

Kirby is one of Seattle’s top arms, and they have several, posting a 6-7 record with a 3.94 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 84 strikeouts to 23 walks through 16 starts (96 innings). He hasn’t been as effective as he normally is, but he is still producing quality outings for the Mariners.

Kirby last worked against the Pittsburgh Pirates and allowed two runs (one earned) on nine hits and two walks while punching out five.

The Halos took two of three from the Mariners in early April and are trying to do the same thing this time around.

First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. PDT on ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV and regional sports networks.